eponychium

[ ep-uh-nik-ee-uhm ]

noun

, plural ep·o·nych·i·a [ep-, uh, -, nik, -ee-, uh],

1. Embryology. the modified outer layer of the epidermis that partially covers the fetal fingernails and toenails and that persists after birth as the cuticle.
2. Anatomy. a thin, cuticular fold extending over the lunula of a nail.

Word History and Origins

Origin of eponychium¹

1880–85; < New Latin, equivalent to ep- ep- + onych- ( onyx ) + -ium -ium